The information in the gapyear.com placement database is provided by each individual company. Gapyear.com claims no responsibility for inaccurate, misleading or libellious information. Please ensure that you check all details with the specific organisation before booking or accepting placement.

GYC2632 - Medical, AIDS and community work Country: Zambia Cost: £1195.00 Cost Includes: The price includes accommodation and food but does not include flight, insurance, kit, pickup from airport or visas    Duration: 1 month (2 weeks to 1 month avaliable) Company Rep Nearby: All the time 08717205439 or

 

	This placement would suit... volunteers seeking medical experience in a rural African setting, with the chance to alleviate some of the negative effects of poverty on the community health system. About this volunteer project: Zambia is one of the world’s poorest countries and as a result health care and provision suffers as much as any other public service sector in the country. Whilst structures are in place for an effective heath service, there is an enormous deficit in terms of staff and resources. Which is why our help is very much appreciated by the nurses and doctors we work with. As a volunteer, you will spend every morning in the clinic or hospital you are assigned to. This gives you the chance to both make a positive impact on the health service in Livingstone, and to gain unique medical experience. We work in three different clinics, which are primary healthcare facilities and the first point of call for un-well residents in the area. Here decisions are made as to whether patients need just reassurance, treatment, observation, or emergency referral to a hospital. The presence of helping hands in almost every area of the clinics is more than gratefully received by the staff, who are working at an immense pace in an attempt to keep up with the demands placed on them. Volunteers themselves will never be required to make decisions regarding patient treatments, but will be invaluable in reducing workloads for the staff and will have the opportunity to learn from the clinicians too. Volunteers’ assistance is invaluable in the following areas: Out patient department ‘Under Five’s Department’ Maternity Ward Observation Wards Laboratory HIV/AIDS Support Groups Community Outreach Some volunteers, particularly those studying or considering a career in the medical profession, may also wish to join clinicians in consultations, where there is an enormous amount to be learnt about tropical and infectious diseases. Livingstone General Hospital If you have medical qualifications, or are studying to get them, you have the opportunity to work in Livingstone General Hospital. Depending on your field of interest and expertise, you will be assigned to a specific ward, where you will be able to offer a great contribution to the treatment of patients, and to gain very specific medical experience. AFTERNOON COMMUNITY PROJECTS After having spent the morning in a clinic or a hospital, you will help out the local community in different areas in the afternoon. You will rotate between the following community projects: Build and Paint Schools/Extra mural involvement and reading programmes Schools in Livingstone deal with a great shortage of classrooms, and as a result most children do not receive the full day of class they need. With the help and guidance of professional builders, we are building new classrooms for as many schools as possible. As a volunteer, you will help with mixing cement, laying bricks, laying floors, plastering walls, and painting. It is hard, but highly rewarding work! In addition, we refurbish and paint existing classrooms. Home Based Care Project/Farming The Maramba Home Based Care Project is run by a group of 30 local women who are all volunteers. The women spend each morning visiting patients in different 'zones' in the local community. The patients generally have HIV, TB and Malaria and often cannot afford to go the clinic or hospital. As well as bringing food and medical supplies, the patients are given advice on nutrition and the correct way to take their medication. The women also have their own land that they use to farm for the purpose of raising money for the project, which they then spend on food and medical supplies for the patients that they support and visit. As a volunteer, you have the opportunity to join the women on their visits to patients in the community, and contribute to the help they offer. In addition, you will help the women out with the farming. Volunteers are involved in this programme from Mondays-Thursdays. 'I volunteered in September 2006 in Livingstone, and it was the most amazing experience of my life and I only wish I was out there for longer!' Stephanie Keatley, UK. 'My time in Livingstone was amazing, so much more than I could have ever experienced. I was 100% happy, in fact 110% happy with my whole experience' Mandy Beech, Australia. 08717205439 Welcome to African Impact - Africa's top on-the-ground facilitator of volunteer work. Our projects focus on making a measurable impact on the people and wildlife in Africa, while ensuring that our volunteers have a safe, enjoyable, adventurous, unforgettable and life-changing experience. We firmly believe that Africa needs to be 'experienced' and not just 'seen' - hence our motto: Explore, Inspire, Impact. We invite you to be more than a tourist - to be a traveller, a conservationist and a humanitarian.